Nearly three out of four of high school graduates go to college. Going to a university is a privilege, and an opportunity that is available to almost every American high school graduate. Young illegal immigrants who graduate from high school in the United States often don’t have the same opportunity. Right now, in states like Georgia, Arizona, and Ohio, illegal immigrants are forced to pay out-of-state tuition to go to college. This could mean tens of thousands of dollars more in fees to attend a university. [1]

Recently, Colorado passed a bill making Colorado high school graduates eligible for in-state tuition regardless of immigration status. This makes Colorado only the 14th state to take action to assist illegal immigrants in their pursuit of a higher education. In Colorado alone, there are 1,500 students who graduate without legal immigration status, and 65,000 nationwide who do not have the opportunity to attend a university with in-state tuition. More states in the United States are stepping up, but still not enough.

At a national level, Congress is working on passing the DREAM act (Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors) which also helps immigrants become legal citizens with jobs and education. President Obama is also making efforts to support the youth who are disrespected simply because of the label “illegal alien” that follows them throughout their life. In October of last year, he viewed thousands of applications for young immigrants, supporting a program called the “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.”

Most of these young illegal immigrants are law-abiding citizens who simply want to be respected as Americans. Many of these immigrants were brought to the United States as young children, with no choice. They grew up in America, went to school in America, and made America their home. Sometimes, English is their only language. Yet because of their parents’ decision to bring them to America, they are held responsible for their immigration status. Often, the only home they’ve known is America, and yet they don’t have the same rights as other Americans.

After the governor of Massachusetts allowed for in-state tuition, President Obama “promised to make immigration reform a top priority of his second term.” The governor stated “the federal government needs to act,” saying that his measure was “no substitute for comprehensive immigration reform.” Many of these illegal immigrants are no different from the rest of us. They pay taxes and are productive citizens, yet on paper, their status prevents them from attending the same universities as their peers at the same fee.

Allowing illegal immigrants to qualify for in-state tuition will also prove beneficial to both the student, and the community around them. By educating these immigrants, this opens new doors for them to support society. With a college degree, it is easier to find a better job; “the unemployment rate for recent high school graduates not enrolled in school is 33.6 percent, compared with 21.1 percent for recent graduates enrolled in college” says the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

With the opportunity to find a better job, this not only means it is easier to support themselves and their family, but also their community, state, and even nation. Many of these hard-working students could go on to make a large impact on society. Adding more jobs will also improve the nation’s economy. There are thousands of intelligent immigrants who have the potential to do something great, but are held back by the monumental fees of out-of-state tuition.

Texas is one of 14 states to allow illegal immigrants brought to the US as children to pay in-state tuition. However, right now many citizens disagree with this bill. Immigrants there are also receiving financial aid, much to the dismay of some conservatives in the state. There are similar views throughout the country. However, most Americans accept these movements without controversy. For example, in Illinois, the vote to allow for in-state tuition was 112 to 4 in the House of Representatives and 55 to 1 in the Senate. Unfortunately, though, there are still voices against it.

People in recent years have changed their views on this subject. The majority are moving towards a more fair perspective. But, unfortunately, some are not. They believe that immigrants are here in the United States to take “our” money, jobs, benefits, housing, and health care, however, most often this is not the case. These immigrants were brought here with no choice and their status shouldn’t be held against them. They are not here as terrorists, or to try to change American religious views or American culture. Quite the opposite, in fact; often American culture is all they know.

There are many polls revealing that the majority of people agree that immigrants deserve more rights. For example, according to a March 2013 ABC news poll, 57 percent supported a path to citizenship and 72 percent supported allowing immigrants to live and work in the US. In a similar poll, 52 percent of voters said that the growing number of immigrants strengthens society, opposed to 43 percent who said they threaten customs and values.

Overall, immigrants are not a burden; they strengthen our country. They deserve the right to be treated as equals with fellow Americans and to be educated at the same cost. These hard-working youths are faced with incredible obstacles preventing them from achieving their goals. They are treated inconsistently by schools, sometimes denied acceptance simply because of their immigration status. They do not receive financial aid, and often have to work full time to support their families, who can not afford out-of-state tuition with low-income jobs. Many never go to college because of work and expensive admission fees. This is a lose-lose for society and the student.

According to the National Immigration Law Center, states that have passed bills for in-state tuition have not lost revenue from these actions. The law actually has raised the percentage of graduates pursuing a degree. This is fair for these immigrants, beneficial to the state, and still fully complies with federal law.

A decade ago, people’s opinions on this issue in society would be very different, but today, United States citizens are stepping up. They understand that many of these young, hard-working immigrants deserve the rights that most Americans already have. Undocumented immigrant students are finally earning respect and gaining new opportunities.
Josh Romine is a student in Highlands Ranch.